Knitting of fabric



2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wx gmw ATTOF/VE/S April 23, 1935. s. A. WELCH El AL KNITTING OF FABRIC Original Filed April 22, 1950 FIG-4- Patented Apr. 2, 1935 John Thomas Ashby,

and William Henry Boaler, Spondon, near Derby, England, assignors to Celanese Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Original application April 22, 1930, Serial No.

446,276. Divided and this application September 24-, 1932, Serial No. 634,712.

Britain May 16, 1929 In Great 29 Claims. (Cl. 66195) This invention relates to warp-knitting, and

- more particularly to tubular warp-knitted fabric and the production thereof, this application being a divisional application of U. S. application Serial No. 446,276 filed 22nd April, 1930. The invention is especially concerned with warp-knitted fabrics in which, as in Milanese fabric, for example, each warp thread progresses'successively from wale to wale across the fabric.

In its broadest aspect, the invention comprises knitting a set of warp threads successively into loops running helically round the fabric and, between successive knitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabric. 'Iwosets of warp threads may be knitted simultaneously, being traversed in opposite directions round the fabric.

Since in completing the knitting cycle round the fabric, the thread constituting one warp moves over a predetermined number of wales (either in the same direction as that in which the progressive knitting has taken place or in the opposite direction thereto) while knitting has to be effected in "such cycle on a number of warp threads equal to the number of wales in the fabric, the number of warp threads is greater or less than the number of wales according to the direction of the said movement of the threads. The difference between the number of threads and the number of wales is the same as the number of wales over which each thread laps between successive knitting operations on such thread. The threads form a series of loops proceeding helically round the fabric, and there may be two or more separate helical series in the fabric, in which case the total number of threads exceeds the number of wales by the total number of wales lapped by any one thread in order to form loops in each of such loop series. These helical series of loops are similar to the courses of weft-knit circular fabric.

One set of warp threads may be used to produce the fabric, but the best results are obtained by using two sets of threads, one lapping its threads in one direction round the fabric and the other in the other direction. From the explanation given above, one set of threads will be greater in number than the number of wales and the other less, the differences depending on the extent of lapping of each set, but not necessarily being equal with regard to both sets of guides.

Knitting may take place at more than one point round the fabric in order to form two or more loop series by arranging the number of threads and the extent of their lapping movements so that the required lapping takes place between each knitting operation on each thread.

The above-mentioned particulars as to the relative numbers of guides and wales have special reference to the knitting of fabrics in which a warp thread from each series is knitted into each wale. It is possible, however, in any set of threads to use a less number than there are wales, and to knit such less number of threads into the fabric in selected wales only. Thus, for example, one set of warp threads may be knitted into every wale while a second set may be knitted into every third wale, each thread passing the two intermediate Wales. In this case, the second set of threads will number only one third of the number of wales plus or minus one guide for each separate course in the fabric to achieve the lapping over three needles between successive knitting operations on each thread. The numbers of threads necessary to obtain any other required selection among the-wales of the fabric maybe similarly determined.

A weft thread or threads may also be introduced into any course in the fabric to add to the the range of effects obtainable.

The tubular warp-knitted fabric thus produced is characterized by the warp threads progressing from wale to wale round the fabric and forming successively knitted loops helically disposed round the fabric. Such fabric may contain more than one series of warp threads, e. g. two series running in opposite directions round the fabric, and there may be a plurality of separate helical courses in the fabric. Weft thread may be introduced into the fabric, and the warp threads, and also the weft thread, where such is used, may be knitted in selected wales only.

.The fabrics produced may be substantially identical in character with the well-known Milanese fabrics, the helical arrangement of the knitted courses being practically non-detectable from casual inspection of the fabric,-especially when the fabric tube is cut lengthwise. Since, however, threads having different characteristics may be used in the two sets of warp threads employed, a wider range of effects is possible. Further, this range may be increased by the use of weft thread, which again may have different characteristics from the warp threads.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that the following description'is given by way of example only and is in no way limitative.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1 and 2 are views showing the tubular structure of the fabric, and bringing out the thread movements along the helical courses of the fabric; and

Figs. 3 and 4 show diagrammatically small sections in the flat of various forms of fabric including weft thread according to the'invention.

Figs. 1 and 2 give distorted views of the fabric, obtained by looking downwards on to the tube of fabric and imagining the lower part of the tube increasing gradually in size and at the same time rising up to the level of the uppermost edge, which consists of the stitches last knitted. The fabric now appears as a perforated disc, the last series of stitches knitted surrounding a hole in the centre of the disc. The figures thus show not only the circular structure of the fabric, but also the disposition of the threads throughout the fabric, from course to course and from wale to wale.

Fig. 1 shows such a view in the case of a fabric containing two sets of warp threads, one set I being indicated in full black lines, and the other set 2 in a corded manner.

Only five wales 3 of knitted loops are shown, and though these appear as radii of the perforated fabric disc owing to the distorted view taken of the fabric, it will be understood that in the fabric as knitted they lie parallel to each other, that is parallel to the axis of the tubular fabric. The other loops in the fabric are omitted in order to show clearly the progression of the threads I, 2 round the fabric.

Each of the threads I after being knitted into a loop 4 in a course of the fabric is passed counterclockwise to form a further loop in the next succeeding course, while each of the threads 2 is passed clockwise from loop to loop. Each of the threads I, 2 is knitted into every wale 3, so passing spirally round the figure, as will be clearly seen by reference to the part of the figure in which the knitted loops are omitted. This spiral progression shown in the figure is, of course, helical in the actual tubular fabric.

The five loops 5 at the inner ends of the five complete wales shown are those just knitted, a further loop being about to be formed from the threads I, 2 immediately to the right of the righthand loop 5. If a line is followed in a clockwise direction from the base of these loops 5, it will be seen that after one complete circuit of the fabric this line reaches the base of the loops 6 through "which the loops 5 pass, and if this line is continued once more round the fabric it reaches the base of the next succeeding set of loops, that is to say the line proceeds spirally round the figure, showing that the fabric consists of one continuous helical course of loops into which each of the threads I, 2 is knitted. Knitting proceeds in a counter-clockwise direction, each succeeding loop 5 to be formed being drawn from a pair of threads I, 2 which are traversed counter-clockwise and clockwise respectively from wales in the preceding course which lie on each side of the wale in which the next loop is about to be knitted.

A weft thread I is also shown knitted into each loop, this thread following the helix of the knitted courses in the manner found in ordinary weft knit fabric. Thus, each ioop of the fabric consists of three independent loops drawn respectively from the two sets of, warp threads I, 2 and the weft thread I. i

In Fig. 1, sixteen wales are shown round the fabric, though, of course, in an actual fabric-the number of wales would probably run to several hundreds or even thousands. The relatively low number of wales'in the figure enables the construction of the fabric to be readily followed. It will be seen that the number of threads in the warp series I is seventeen, owing to the fact that the threads I move counter-clockwise round the fabric, that is in the same direction as that in which knitting of the loops proceeds. In view of the fact that sixteen loops have to be knitted from the threads I to provide sixteen wales round the fabric, and because of the fact that each thread I is being moved away through a distance of one wale between the knitting of successive loops from the thread, the knitting operation has to catch up this movement of the threads I. On the other hand, it will be seen that there are only fifteen of the threads 2.in the circle of the fabric. This is because the threads 2 move round the fabric towards the advancing set of loops being knitted at the rate of one wale space for each circuit of the fabric, so that there is, in fact, an.

extra thread 2 available in each circuit to provide the sixteen threads required for the sixteen wales of the fabric. I

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1, with the exception that at each of the two points 8 knitting of a loop is about to proceed instead of only one loop at the point immediately to the right of the righthand loop 5 in Fig. 1. This is because two loop courses are being knitted simultaneously in the fabric, as will be seen by following a line in a clockwise direction from one of the points 8 round a complete circuit of the fabric. When this line reaches the point 9 on the same radial line as the starting point 8, it has reached a position two courses beyond the point 8. A similar line traced back from the other point 8 passes through the point If] after a half circuit of the fabric, which point II) is a course removed from the point 9.

As in Fig. l, sixteen wales are arranged round the fabric, but in this case the threads I number eighteen, since each. advances a space occupied by one wale between the knitting of each loop from that thread, this occurring twice in each circuit of the fabric. Similarly the threads 2 number only fourteen, since they progress towards the loops being knitted over the width occupied by one wale twice in each circuit.

Fig. 2 also shows weft threads being employed. In this case, however, two such threads II and I2 are necessary to provide weft loops in each of the two courses which are being produced simultaneously.

In Fig. 3 is shown a section of fabric produced by knitting two sets of warp threads as well as .weft thread into one fabric, while arranging direction across the fabric and are knitted only in the wales I6 representing a further third of the total number of wales, and the weft thread H is knitted only in the remaining Wales I8 representing the other third of the total number.

Fig. 4 shows one set of warp threads I9 removed from course to course from the right to the left of the fabric, and being knitted in every other wale, as will be clearly seen at the top left-hand side of the figure. The other set of warp threads 20 proceeds from left to right in the fabric, and each thread is again knitted in every other wale, as shown at the top right-hand side of the figure.

as will be seen at the top centre of the figure. The

reeaeva whole effect of the three sets of threads is shown at the bottom centre of the figure, each loop containing 21, warp thread from each series as well as a weft thread, while the missing of alternate wales by the warp threads it], Ell results in floating threads 22, 23 passing across the fabric.

A machine for producing warp-knitted fabric according to the invention forms the subjectmatter of U. 5. application Serial hlo. 446,276, which describes in detail mechanism for bringing about appropriate relative movement between the warp thread'guides and the needles in a circular knitting machine to secure the lapping of the threads over the needles as they pass from wale to wale and for bringing the threads into position for the formation of loops on the needles, these operations being concomitant With the continuous knitting of the threads into the fabric. Such a machine enables fabrics of the Milanese type to be produced at speeds such as arecommonly employed in circular knitting machines, the lapping of the threads to give a progression from wale to wale across the fabric proceeding constantly in advance of the knitting operation which is then performed continuously on all the needles in turn. As is described in that specification, the lapping movement of the warp threads round the fabric may take place continuously (and preferably at a uniform rate) or intermittently, e. g. by moving the threads in sections between theactual knitting operations performed on the threads in any particular section.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:- i. I

1. Method of forming tubular warp knitted fabric which comprises knitting a set of warp threads successively into the wales of a tubular fabric so as to form at least one helical course of loops running round the fabric, and, between successive knitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively roundthe fabric over the space of at least one wale, the number of warp threads in said set differing from the number of wales in which said threads are knitted by the number of such wales over which any of said threads is carried while said helical course passes completely round the fabric. l

2. Method of forming tubular warp knitted fabric which comprises knitting a set of warp threads successively into the wales of a tubular fabric so as to form a plurality of helical courses of loops running round the fabric, and, between successive knitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabr over the space of at least one wale, the nu or of warp threads in said set differing from the number of wales which said threads are knitted by the number of such wales over which threads is carried ile of said round the helical courses passes warp 'litted Jmg a set or war successively into the wales of a tubular fabric as to form at least one helical course loops lining round the fabric, and, betweensuccessive shitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabric in the same direction-as said helicalcourse over the space of at least one wale, the number of warp threads in said set exceeding'the number of wales in which said threads are knitted by the number of such wales over which any of said threads is carried while said helical course passes completely round the fabric.

Method of forming tubular warp knitted fabric which comprises knitting a set of warp threads successively into the wales of a tubular fabric so as to form at-least one helical course of loops running round the fabric, and, between successive knitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabric in the opposite direction to said helical course over the space of at least one wale, the number of threads in said set being less than the number of wales in which said threads are knitted by the number of such wales over which any of said threads is carried while said helical course passes completely round the fabric.

'5. Methodof forming tubular warp knitted fabric which comprises knitting at least one weft thread and a set of warp threads successively into the wales of a tubular fabric so as toform at least one helical course of loops running round the fabric, and, between successive knitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabric over the space of at least one wale, the number of warp threads in said set differing from the number of wales in which said threads are knitted by the number of such Wales over which any of said threads is carried while said helical course passes completely round the fabric.

6. Method of forming tubular warp knitted fabric which comprises knitting two sets of warp threads successively into the wales of a tubular fabric so as to form at least one helical course of loops running round the fabric, and, between successive knitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabric over the space of I at least one wale, the two sets being traversed respectively in the same direction as and in the opposite direction to said helical course, the number of warp threads in the two sets respectively exceeding and being less than the number of wales in which said threads are knitted by the number of such. wales over which any of said threads is carried while said helical course passes completely round the fabric.

7. Method of forming tubular warp knitted fabric which comprises knitting two sets of warp threads successively into the wales of a tubular fabric so as to form at least one helical course of loops running round the fabric, and, between successive knitting operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabric over the space of at least one wale, the two sets being traversed respectively in the same direction as and in the opposite direction to said helical course, the number warp threads in the two sets respectively exceeding and being less than the number or" in. which said threads are knitted the number of such wales over which any of said three is carried while said helical tely round the fabric, the t one set b ltnittee in selected w m Meth d of 'lorm. g tn comprises knittii lcops running round the fabric, and, successive knitting operations on each traversing such thread-progressively re 1 fabric over the space of at least one wale, the two sets being traversed respectively in the same direction as andin the opposite direction to said helical course, the number of warp threads 'iti in the two sets respectively exceeding and being less than the number of wales in which said threads are knitted by the number of such wales over which any of said threads is carried while said helical course passes completely round the fabric, the threads of the two sets being knitted in alternate wales.

9. Tubular warp knitted fabric wherein successively knitted loops are disposed on at least one continuous helical course round the fabric and lie on wales along the fabric, said fabric comprising a set of warp threads which progress from wale to wale round the fabric, the number of threads in such set differing from the number of wales in which such threads are knitted by the number of wales which any of such threads crosses in the length of fabric represented by one complete circuit of said helical course round the fabric.

10. Tubular Warp knitted fabric wherein successively knitted loops are disposed on a plurality of continuous helical courses round the fabric and lie on wales along the fabric, said fabric comprising a set of warp threads which progress from wale to wale round the fabric, the number of threads in such set differing from the number of wales in which such threads are knitted by the number of wales which any of such threads crosses in the length of fabric represented by one complete circuit of any of said helical courses round the fabric.

11. Tubular warp knitted fabricwherein successively knitted loops are disposed on at least one continuous helical course round the fabric and lie on wales along the fabric, said fabric comprising two sets of warp threads which progress from wale to wale round the fabric in respectively the same direction as and the opposite direction to said helical course, the numbers of threads in said sets respectively exceeding and being less than the number' of wales in which such threads are knitted by the number of wales which any of such threads crosses in the length of fabric represented by one complete circuit of said helical course round the fabric.

12. Tubular warp knitted fabric wherein successively knitted loops are disposed on at least one continuous helical course round the fabric and lie on wales along the fabric, said fabric comprising two sets of warp threads which pro-- gress from wale to wale round the fabric in respectively the same direction as and the opposite direction to said helical course, the numbers of threads in said sets respectively exceeding and being less than the number of wales in which such threads are knitted by the number of wales which any of such threads crosses in the length of fabric represented by one complete circuit of said helical course round the fabric, the threads of the two sets being knitted in alternate wales.

r 13. Method of forming tubular warp-knitted fabric, comprising knitting two sets of warp threads successively into a series of loops running helically round the fabric and, between successive knitting. operations on each thread, traversing such thread progressively round the fabric, the threads of the two sets being traversed in opposite directions, and the threads of at least one of the two sets being knitted into selected loops only of the loop series.

14. Method of forming tubular warp-knitted fabric, comprising knitting two sets of warp threads successively into a series of loops running helically round the fabric and, between on, each warp thread, traversing such warp thread progressively roundthe fabric, the threads of the two sets being traversed in oppo site directions.

16. Method of forming tubular warp-knitted fabric, comprising knitting two sets of warp threads and at least one weft thread successively into a series of loops running helically round the fabric and, between successive knitting opera=- tions on each warp thread,traversing such warp thread progressively round the fabric, the threads of the two sets being traversed in opposite directions, and some at least of the threads being knitted into selected loops only of the loop series.

17. Method of forming tubular warp-knitted fabric, comprising knitting two sets of warp threads and at least one weft thread successively into a series of loops running helically round the fabric and, between successive knitting operations on each warp thread, traversing such warp thread progressively round the fabric, the threads of the two sets being traversed in opposite directions, the weft thread and the threads of the two warp sets forming respectively every third loop of the loop series.

18. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising a course of successively knitted loops, which course runs helically round the fabric and contains a weft thread, and comprising two sets of warp threads which progress from wale to wale in opposite directions round the fabric.

19. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising a plurality of courses of successively knitted loops, each of which courses runs helically round the fabric, and comprising two sets of warp threads which progress from wale to wale in opposite directions round the fabric, at least one of said courses containing a Weft thread.

20. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising a course of successively knitted loops, which course runs helically round the fabric, and comprising two sets of warp threads which progress from wale to wale in opposite directions round the fabric, the warp threads of at least one of said sets being knitted in selected wales only.

21. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising a course of successively knitted loops, which course runs helically round the fabric, and comprising two sets of warp threads which progress from wale to wale in opposite directions round the fabric, the warp threads of the two sets being knitted in alternate wales respectively.

. 22. Fabric according to claim comprising at least one weft thread.

23. Fabric according to claim 20 comprising at least one weft thread, said weft thread being knitted in selected wales only.

24. Fabric according to claim 20 comprising at least one weft thread, the warp threads of the two sets and the weft thread constituting respectively every third wale of the fabric.

25. Fabric according to claim 21 comprising at least one weft thread.

26. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising at least one course of successively knitted loops running helically round the fabric, and a set of warp threads which progress from wale to wale round the fabric in the same direction as such course, the number of warp threads exceeding the number of wales in which said threads are knitted by the number of such wales over which each thread progresses between loops of the thread formed in such course.

27. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising at least one course of successively knitted loops running helically round the fabric, and aset of warp threads which progress from wale to wale round the fabric in the opposite direction to such course, the number of wales in which such warp threads are knitted exceeding the number of such threads by the number of such wales over which each thread progresses between loops of the thread formed in such course.

28. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising at least one course of successively knitted loops running helically round the fabric, and two sets of warp threads which sets progress from Wale to wale in opposite directions round the fabric, the number of threads of each set differing from the number of wales in which they are knitted by the number of wales over which each of such threads progresses between loops of the thread formed in such helical course, the number of threads in the set which progresses in the same direction as such course being greater than the number of wales in which such threads are knitted, and the number of threads of the set which progresses in the opposite direction being less than the number of Wales in which such threads are knitted.

29. Tubular warp-knitted fabric comprising a plurality of courses of successively knitted loops running helically round the fabric and two sets of warp threads which sets progress from wale to Wale in opposite directions round the fabric, the number of threads of each set differing from the number of wales in which they are knitted by the number of wales over which each of such threads progresses between loops of the thread formed in any particular helical course, the number of threads in the set which progresses in the same direction as such course being greater than the number of wales in which such threads are knitted and the number 'of threads of the set which progresses in the opposite direction being less than the number of wales in which such threads are knitted. v

SIDNEY ARTHUR WELCH.

ALBERT FAIRHOLME GUYLER.

- JOHN THOMAS ASHBY.

WILLIAM HENRY BOALER. 

